About

GOVIS started as the Government Information Systems Managers’ Forum (GOVIS) in 1991 as the result of the introduction of new standards for interdepartmental electronic communications.  It provided a much need platform for IT managers to come together to discuss topics of the moment. In 1992 it extended its membership to include other information professionals, and not just managers. 1994 saw the first GOVIS convention held in the Lodge at Pāuatahanui and in 1995 the first two-day conference was held with 60 delegates! In 2007, GOVIS became an incorporated society under the brand 'GOVIS'. In 2016, GOVIS celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner at Te Papa which involved a few of those dedicated public servants that established GOVIS.

GOVIS continues to support people in local and central government to connect, share and learn about all aspects of information, technology and business process.  This support takes two forms – regular lunch-time forums and the annual two day conference. The annual conference has been a foundation event for GOVIS and each conference has excelled in its own way. Typically the two day conference now attracts between 200-250 delegates and a range of generous sponsors

GOVIS is led by an elected committee from government agencies and the vendor communities and it is underpinned by the objects of the Constitution.

Chris Butler, NZTA, created the history display for GOVIS 2013
Chris Butler, NZTA, created the history display for GOVIS 2013

Golden Ticket
The golden tickets offered during the GOVIS 25th year anniversary

GOVIS Committee

The current GOVIS committee (2021/2022) has the following members:

  • Mick Crouch (President), Department of Internal Affairs /Archives New Zealand
  • Chris McDowell (Vice President), Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Christian Redgewell (Treasurer), Data Cubed NZ
  • Patrick Power, Stats NZ
  • Rochelle Furneaux, Transpower
  • Jacob Ong, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Finn Russell, Commerce Commission
  • Fei Li, Oranga Tamariki

    GOVIS Constitution

    GOVIS is an incorporated society. The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 requires every incorporated society to have a set of rules or constitution laying out how the society is run. The constitution for GOVIS is available here.